Is Social Media Causing a Quiet Depression Crisis?

Social media is something that has become an integral part of our lives, which very few of us can negate. While it does have many benefits, such as connecting us with the outside world, it also has a few disadvantages-one of them being depression.

Some publications have shown that social media users suffer from excessive feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and low self-esteem. The continuous act of comparison with ideal images in the media, rating oneself through the number of "likes," or feeling scared to be left out can become emotionally interfering, especially for youngsters.

In my practice of psychiatry in Indore, I frequently see an increasing number of patients telling me that their mood disorders stem from their online activities. Most of them are unaware of how the constant checking and comparison are choking down their own mental health. Unlike clearly identifiable distressing events, social media affects our minds in a more elusive way: this gradually piles up to an overdose.

Worryingly, many people don’t even know they are depressed. They might put the tiredness, the lack of interest, and the sleep disturbances on chronic stress. This makes arranging a timely intervention quite difficult.

And to tackle this very aspect, treatment for depression in Indore is undergoing evolutionary changes. Psychiatrists are now treating social media management advice as an adjuncting therapy of its own, assisting the patient in gaining tech savviness. Besides the usual therapies, patients are encouraged to reconnect with the world around them, whether through nature, friendship, or leisure time away from screens, if needed.

If you’re feeling low, anxious, or lacking motivation, it might be a good idea to talk to someone about it. Social media might not be the only issue, but it could play a big role.

Help is out there, and it's more accessible than you might think. Talking to a qualified psychiatrist in Indore could be your first step towards understanding and dealing with depression. With caring support and focused treatment, getting better is definitely possible.